Sutter Health Launches Innovative Advanced Care Program in Sonoma County

Santa Rosa, Calif., November 16, 2012 - Even with COPD and heart problems, 81-year-old Air Force veteran Edward Fogarty of Rocklin says he leads a fulfilling life thanks to Sutter Health’s Advanced Illness Management (AIM)® program. Now, Sonoma County patients with late-stage chronic illness like Edward can access the same resources and support needed through AIM’s first major expansion in Northern California. The expansion extends access to eligible Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation’s North Division and the Sutter Medical Center of Santa Rosa patients.

“AIM uses a nurse-led interdisciplinary team to bridge the gaps between the hospital, the community physician’s office, and home for our sickest patients,” said Brad Stuart, M.D., Senior Medical Director for Sutter Care at Home, an affiliate of Sutter Health. “Quality, affordable care for all of our patients is a priority and the expansion of AIM systemwide complements our mission and values. AIM supports giving the right care, at the right time, at the right level of care for the patient’s goals.”

The Sacramento Sierra Region pilot showed reduced hospitalizations and improved care transitions, contributing to an improved quality of life for patients enrolled in AIM. The success of this pilot was crucial to Sutter Health receiving the CMMI grant. Since 2010, the Sacramento Sierra Region pilot:

Reported a 75 percent reduction in ICU days, an average decrease of one or more days for hospital stays, and more than 50 percent reduction in hospitalizations at 90 days post-enrollment.

Showed high patient and family satisfaction (4.7 out of 5).

Reduced costs for payers by $5,000 per patient at 90 days post-enrollment.

“Before AIM, I had a choice of calling 911 and that’s it, and I’d end up in the hospital,” Fogarty said. I don’t want to go to the E.R. What AIM gives me is that I can call someone besides 911, and they give me advice and counsel, which really helps.”More information about AIM

About Sutter HealthServing patients and their families in more than 100 Northern California cities and towns, Sutter Health doctors, not-for-profit hospitals and other health care service providers share resources and expertise to advance health care quality and access. The Sutter Medical Network includes many of California’s top-performing, highest quality physician organizations as measured annually by the Integrated Healthcare Association. Sutter-affiliated hospitals are regional leaders in cardiac care, women’s and children’s services, cancer care, orthopedics and advanced patient safety technology.